The food price index accounts for about 19 per cent of the consumers price index, which is the Reserve Bank's mandated inflation target when setting interest rates.

Friday's data showed food prices rose 0.6 per cent in the year through October, impacted by higher prices for restaurant and ready-to-eat meals.

The consumers price index increased at a 0.4 per cent annual pace in the September quarter, the eighth straight quarter below the Reserve Bank's 1-to-3 per cent target band, however the bank sees it coming back into its band soon with a 1.1 per cent increase forecast for the December quarter.

The consumers price index for the December quarter will be released on Jan. 17 next year.